Post-turning machine



No. 6l8,667. Patented Ian. 3], I899.

' R. HARRIS.

POST TURNING'MACHINE.

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(Application filed. Mar. 15v 1897.)

(N 0 M o d e I nlllmw MHIIIIW WNW Patented Jan. 3|. I899.

No. 6l8,667.

R. HARRIS.

POST TURNING MACHINE.

(Application -fi1ed Mar. 15, 1897.)

2 SheetsS heet 2.

(No Model.)

Nrrsn STATES PATENT- OFFICE.

RUTLEDGE HARRIS, OF CEDAR FALLS, IOVA.

POST- TURNING- MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 618,667, dated January 31, 1899.

Application filed March 15, 1897. Serial No. 627,725. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUTLEDGE HARRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cedar Falls, in the county of Black Hawk and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Post-Turning Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make'and use the same.

This invention relates to machines for producing ornamental forms in wood-sucl1 as porch-columns, newel-posts, and the like-by the operation of rotating cutters in planes transverse to the timber.

The invention consists in an improved device for holding large pieces, such as porchcolumn stock, while being operated upon and adapted to allow such stock to be revolved in contact with the cutters, whereby the figure produced is made circularin cross-section.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view of the device as applied to a woodworking-machine of the type designated. Fig. 2, Sheet 2, is an end elevation of the same as seen from the left. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of one of the holders in the line a: 00 of Fig. 4.that is to say, transverse as regards the piece of timber held. Fig. 4 isa section of the same in the line .2 z of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view of the crank device for turning the stick of timber when in position.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The machine in the main is of a common and well-known type, consisting, essentially, of a frame A, on which is mounted a mandrel B, carrying a set of cutter-heads O and revoluble by a belt D on a pulleyE near one end of the mandrel. A carriageF slides back and forth on transverse ways G G and is adapted to carry the piece operated upon across the rapidly-revolving cutter-heads and above the same.

The object of this invention is to provide a convenient device for holding a squared stick and turning the same while being operated upon by the cutters.

To some suitable part of the carriage F, as

to the transverse bars F F, are attached two divided and hinged bearing-rings H H. These are provided with suitable annular bearings H H,which are preferably T-shaped in crosssection to receive the correspondingly-shaped rim 1 of clamping-blocks I I. At the back side the two parts of the bearing-rings are hinged together at H and on the front side one of them is provided with a stud or catch H adapted to engage with a hole in a springcatch H, whereby the parts are locked together as in use. An upwardly-extending tailpiece of the spring H permitsthe easy disengagement of the spring and stud when it is desired to open the bearing to remove the work. The lower half of each bearingring is suitably secured to its supporting-bar,

as by bolts H H. To the upper half of the bearing-rings are attached handle-bars J J by suitable stirrups J J and bolts J J The clamps I I are semicircular circumferentially and on the opposite side have a rentering angle of ninety degrees. Each block is independent of the other, so that when the bearing-rings are opened the clampblocks also open, provided, of course, that each block is Within the bounds of its own half of the ring. In the adjacent faces of each clamp-block are set abutments I 1 made of Wood faced with rubber or the like, there being sufficient elasticity to compensate for slight difierences in the sizes of the posts. here a considerable difference in size exists, different-sized abutments are used.

To prevent the upper clamp-block from slipping out of its bearing-ring, especially after becoming Worn, a spring I is secured to the bearing-ring and presses on some part of the clamp-block, as the face thereof. This holds the clamp-block in place'and admits of the post being laid in place on the lower blocks without inconvenience or annoyance.

The device for turning the post when in position is a rectangular band K, provided with a lug K on one side, with a hole therein to receive a crank K A suitable setscrew K holds the crank in position. The band is of a suitable size to receive one end of the post, different-sized bands being provided for the different sizes of stock to be turned.

It is to be noted that the bearing-rings are attached to the carriage close to the outer- IOO - brought to a locked position, when the post is firmly held in place. The crank being attached to one or both ends of the post, the operator slides the carriage back until the post is at the proper point'for the cutter to produce the desired figure on it and turns it slowly a single revolution. The return of the carriage to its original position and the removal of the turned Work complete the operation.

The construction is such as to avoid the necessity for thrusting the post through bearing-rings endwise,which is both laborious and tedious. It is also more or less dangerous, especially if the carriage happen to be near the revolving cutter-heads at the time the post is inserted.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a machine of the described character, the combination with a sliding carriage, of a pair of divided and hinged bearing-rings, one part of each pair secured to the carriage, a suitable hand-lever attached to the other half of each ring, a catch adapted to lock them together when closed, and a pair of clampblocks mounted revolubly in each ring by an interlocking connection adapted to prevent radial displacement, substantially as described.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a sliding carriage, of a pair of divided and hinged bearin g-rings provided with internal, annular grooves, T-shaped in cross-section, a spring-latch adapted to lock the halves of each ring together, and a pair of clamp-blocks for each ring, with circumferential rims fitting the grooves of the rings, and renterin g angles opposite thereto ad apt ed to receive two sides of the timber to be held, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with a sliding carriage, of a pair of divided and hinged bearing-rings, suitable means for locking them in closed position, a pair of clam p-blocks revolubly connected with the halves of each ring by an interlocking connection adapted to prevent radial displace ment and corresponding internally to the shape of the stick, in cross-section, and detachable elastic cushions set in the internal faces of said clamp blocks and retainingscrews therefor, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RUTLEDGE HARRIS.

IVitnesses:

HUGH MOCARTNEY, N. H. HARRIS. 

